Defence Helicopters news – Page 124
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NewsUS Navy seeks 16 more F/A-18 Super Hornets
The US Navy has sought more F/A-18 Super Hornets by funding two aircraft in fiscal 2017 to replace combat losses and another 14 in 2018 to maintain capacity as older Hornet units wear out.
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NewsUCLASS reborn as US Navy spy-tanker
The US Navy’s long-running attempt to field a carrier-based unmanned combat aircraft has taken another turn, morphing from a surveillance and strike aircraft into a reconnaissance and aerial refuelling drone with “limited strike capability”.
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NewsLockheed proposes KAI T-50A for T-X over Skunk Works design
Lockheed Martin will offer an upgraded version of the T-50 fighter it jointly developed with Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) for the US Air Force's T-X trainer programme, forgoing a clean-sheet alternative designed by its Skunk Works division.
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NewsJoint Strike Fighter chief plays down F-35A deferrals
The head of the multinational F-35 programme Lt Gen Christopher Bogdan is playing down the US Air Force’s decision to reduce annual procurement of the F-35A Lightning IIs to 48 per year, with the planned ramp-up to 60 units deferred from fiscal 2018 to 2021.
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NewsPentagon curtails aircraft procurement in 2017 budget plan
The Pentagon has reduced aviation procurement by 7.2% to $45.3 billion in its fiscal year 2017 budget submission compared to the $48.8 billion requested last year.
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Analysis
ANALYSIS: RSAF ratchets up capabilities
Southeast Asia’s leading air force continues to methodically improve to its already impressive fixed wing force.
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AnalysisANALYSIS: Singapore sizes up Super Puma replacement
The major focus of Singapore’s helicopter force is finding a replacement for its main transport rotorcraft.
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NewsItaly claims first F-35 transatlantic crossing
An Italian Air Force pilot flying the first Italian-made F-35A Lightning II has made history after completing the first transatlantic crossing of the stealthy, single-engine Lockheed Martin type.
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Analysis
ANALYSIS: Rafael looks for new connections
Being a small country with a relatively small air force that usually abstains from coalition-level air campaigns can be an isolating experience, but sometimes in a helpful way.
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NewsUS Navy boosts F-35C and F/A-18 buy in new budget plan
The US Navy says maintaining Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet production in St Louis is "vital" for overcoming a strike-fighter shortfall caused by delays in fielding the Lockheed Martin F-35C.
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NewsUS Navy looking for answers to F/A-18 pilot ailments
The US Navy’s director of air warfare says efforts to overcome high rates of hypoxia and decompression sickness in pilots flying Boeing F/A-18 variants is “like chasing a ghost,” but he remains confident in the aircraft and its oxygen backup systems nevertheless.
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NewsUS Navy reveals CMV-22B as long-range Osprey designation
The US Navy has formally designated its planned long-range variant of the Bell-Boeing V-22 Osprey the CMV-22B, reflecting the aircraft’s new role in cargo resupply for carrier strike groups at sea.
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Analysis
ANALYSIS: BlueBird goes for big-time
The Israeli unmanned air vehicle industry is characterised by two major players – IAI and Elbit Systems – that manufacture mainly large systems with big price tags; and by some smaller companies developing smaller systems. But this breakdown is not enough to survive in this very competitive market. Innovation is ...
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NewsFrench government confirms C-130J buy
France has confirmed its purchase of four Lockheed Martin C-130J Hercules tactical transports, two of which will have the ability to refuel France’s rotorcraft fleet.
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NewsUSAF to continue A-10 ‘Warthog’ wing production
The air force has not only ditched long-standing plans to retire the hardy Fairchild Republic A-10 attack airplane but is launching a follow-on wing replacement programme to keep the combat veteran flying well into the next decade.
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NewsLockheed offers T-X glimpse in press invitation
Lockheed Martin might finally put to rest whether it intends to offer the Korea Aerospace Industries T-50 or a separate clean-sheet design for the US Air Force’s upcoming advanced pilot training competition known as T-X.
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NewsNew report recommends White House kill B61-12 and LRSO
The Centre for American Progress has proposed sweeping cuts to the US nuclear arsenal including the elimination of the B61 consolidation and new standoff cruise missile as a way of realising $120 billion in savings over 30 years.
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AnalysisANALYSIS: Largest UAV makers ponder next move
The first public flight of the Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) Heron TP unmanned air vehicle (UAV) happened almost nine years years ago. The maiden flight of the Elbit Systems Hermes 900 occurred nearly seven years ago. Yet, since 2009, neither of Israel's largest UAV makers has released a new design ...
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NewsUSAF considers defensive lasers for future fighters
The dawn of the combat laser era might begin in 2021 when the US air force hopes to begin demonstrations of a podded electric laser system for fifth and sixth-generation fighter jets that can destroy incoming missiles, not just dazzle them.
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Analysis
ANALYSIS: Elbit Systems moves beyond the box
In a Tel Aviv conference room, Shlomo Livne reaches into a paper shopping bag wearing the logo of a local chocolate shop and pulls out, alas, not sweets but a black electronic box.